A LANDMARK sculpture set for the border between Scotland and England looks set to get the go-ahead from Dumfries and Galloway council.
The Star of Caledonia project is set to be built beside the M74 by Gretna Green and will be taller than the Angel of the North.
It is expected to attract 500,000 tourists each year with a proposed economic boost to the south of Scotland.
The team is reapplying for planning permission to Dumfries and Galloway Council, moving the site less than a mile up the motorway.
The £11m illuminated sculpture hopes to create jobs in the local area with an additional revenue of £50m in tourism.
The Star is measured to be 35 metres tall to welcome and bid farewell to those travelling in Scotland.
Community Windpower and the Scottish Government agency South of Scotland Enterprise and the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal are funding the project.
The new plans for the Star include a visitor centre that will showcase the sculpture and act as a gateway to promote tourist trails across Dumfries, Galloway, and the borders.
The centre will highlight the Robert Burn’s House in Dumfries, The Devil’s Porridge Museum in Eastriggs, the Dark Space Planetarium in Kirkcudbright, and Hadrian’s Wall.
The designer, Cecil Balmond, worked with Anish Kapoor on the helix-shaped ArcelorMittal Orbit tower before the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The sculpture was designed by Cecil Balmond, who worked with Anish Kapoor on the helix-shaped ArcelorMittal Orbit tower ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell inspired the spiral design with his formulation of electromagnetic theory.
Mr Balmond said he hopes the sculpture will act “as a metaphor for the dynamism of the Scottish nation, symbolising the energy and power of Scottish invention.”
Susan Houston, chair of the Star of Caledonia Trust, the team behind the project, said: “We have always believed this project would happen. And with a new site and new plans, we have a new start.
“This revival is transformational and marks a pivotal moment for Gretna Green and the surrounding area, symbolising resilience, and adaptability in the face of challenges.
“As the Star of Caledonia gets a new home, the project is not just about a landmark sculpture but a catalyst for tourism, local economies, and community pride.”
The project aims to put the south of Scotland as the leader in the transition to renewable energy.
Rod Wood, managing director at Community Windpower, said: “We believe the Star of Caledonia to be a special project and we are doing all we can to see it built.
“We are heavily invested in Dumfries & Galloway already through our operational wind farms, but we have significant plans for future developments in the region and look forward to working with relevant stakeholders to see them delivered.
“The Star of Caledonia should be seen not only as a symbol of culture and growth, but also how wind turbines can bring environmental, economic, and social benefits as well as community benefits for a huge range of organisations.
“We must continue to capitalise on these exciting opportunities.”
